The Irish standard., 1887-10-01

maybe counselor, or a captain in tn
army. An that's the way they're. set
tin wan another astray.'
'Pon me veraclty, Tim,' observed
Josh Reddy, there's a profundity O
truth in what you say. But 1 don't SCI
why Mr.. Brian Purcell should not as
pire to the hand of lady with a feath
er in her hat, and whose emusical talent
have been cultivated.
BE me sowl, them said Tim, sIknov
a hat that he's the highest feather in
or I'm mistaken. An that wouldn't
be some pleasant news to some captain.
in the army. But there's the little bell.
Tim Croak and Jack Meehan went
into the aisle of the chapel, while Jost
Reddy assembled to the gallery, where
he had the choir all to himself. Father
O'Gorman had been obliged to give up
his choir in despair, for no sooner
would Josh have sufficient number of
young men and women duly instructed
for the purpose, tnan the ruin of their
parents would compel them to fly in
search of livelihood far away from
Father O'Gorman's little chapel. And
so Josh Reddy knelt in solitary dignity
within the curtained space in the cor
ner of the gallery.
After second Mass, Sally Cavanagh
called in on some pretext or other to
almost every house in the village, and
made it point to wish as many as DOS.
sible of her acquaintances the compli-
ments of the season. She bought five
penny loaves at Mrs. Carey's, and rath.
er surprised that good woman by hand
ing her pound note in payment. Mrs.
Carey was obliged to go upstairs to her
box for the change, and the rumor
spread about that Sally Cavanagh was
after getting money from America, and
would you doubt Connor?' and WASH It
it short he was earnin' it?' andsimilar
remarks were heard on every side.
1t was after three o'clock when she
reached home. The children came run
ming down the boreen to meet her, ex-
cept Norah, who stood smiling at the
door with the infant in her arms, her
long yellow hair shining like gold in
the setting sun.
Sally Cavanagh folded her cloak care
fully.
'Corney,' said she, I'm goin' to give
the lend of my new cloak to Mrs. Haz-
lit. a. ,! ou must run over with it to
her.
Corney was delighted, and mentally
resolved to return by the crab ditch,
where he had no doubt of finding the
full of his cap of golden crabs among
the long grass.
GO the short cut, Corney,' said his
mother; but come home around the
road, as it might be dark on you be-
fore you could cross the river
Corney reached the village a little af-
ter sunset, and delivered his bundle to
Mrs. Hazlitt.
He's the moral of his father, Matt,
Mrs. Hazlitt observed.
Corney was making off for the crab
ditch. when Matt suggested the pro-
priety of giving the little boy something
to eat, and before he had time to say
yes Or no. Carney found himself sit
ting at the table with plate of cold
beef and loaf of bread before him.
CorneY commenced operations 50 shyly
that Mrs. Hazlltt beckoned to her hus-
band, and both left the kitchen. When
they returned the beef and bread were
invisible, and Mrs. Hazlitt, clapping
Corney on the back, desired him to hur-
ry home as fast as his legs could carry
him, as the night would be pitch dar k.
Did ye get any crabs for us, Corney?
exclaimed Tommy and Mickey, the mo-
ment he made his appearance.
No. says Corney, painting after his
race home; but I have something bet
ter for ye.' And thrusting his hand in
side his jacket, the boy produced the
meat which Mrs. Hazlitt had given him
credit for demolishing so quickly.
oh, Corney, said his mother, laying
her hand upon his head; an didn't ye
ate any of it yourself?
Twas goin' to ate it, replied the boy,
till | remembered this was Christmas
Day, an we had no mate; but ct all
of the bread
Sally Cavanagh laughed to keep her
self from crying.
Hand me plate an knife, Norah.
said she. AN isn't poor Corney good
fellow She divided the meat in four
parts, aud placed it before them.
If you won't have some for YOURSELF
says Corney, sulkily, 'I'm sorry l
brought it at ALL
Sally laughed again. But this time
she rested her elbows on the table, and
put her apron to her eyes After a
while she raised her head. You're the
dhroll Corney,' said she, cutting frag-
ment off of Corney's own piece, which
was the biggest, for herself. The five
NANNY 1oovoc xuoro thon nro6uood ond